Rama, Asoka, Aurangzeb: Legendary sons who were responsible for their father's death!

Indian epics: Famous father-son duos

“The greater tragedy is not falling out of love, but to die of heartache.” While some great legends of love were born in the land of India, a few of them witnessed its brutal death. With love comes pain; it came true in the lives of these great rulers, who were not killed in the battles or wars, but died due to heartache caused by their beloved sons.

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Death due to heartache

You will be shocked to know of these legendary sons who went on being worshipped and praised for their kindness and bravery, but were all responsible for their father’s death.

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Lord Rama – Dashratha

Though Lord Rama is still considered an epitome of love, compassion, kindness, loyalty and sincerity, but did you know he caused the death of his father King Dasharatha. He left behind a bereaving father before heading out for the ‘exile’ along with his wife and brother.

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Soon after Lord Rama left, a grieving Dasharatha remembered the curse of Shravan Kumar's dying parents, according to which he would too experience separation from his beloved son.

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Nana Saheb – Bajirao Peshwa

Nana Saheb’s father Peshwa Baji Rao I suffered a heat stroke during a battle, which was the major cause of his ailing health right before his death. But, it was his family’s ignorance to his pleas of seeing his beloved Mastani which was the final nail in his coffin.

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On his deathbed, Peshwa begged to see his second wife Mastani (held prisoner by Nana Saheb), but Nana refused to let them meet. When Peshwa came to know of his brutal decision of keeping him and Mastani separated till death, he died of heartache.

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Aurangzeb – Shah Jahan

We all know that Mughal emperor Shah Jahan lived through heartache after his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal’s death. But, what we do not know is that his death was caused by Aurangzeb’s heartless treatment towards his siblings.

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When Shah Jahan was informed of his son Dara Shikoh and grandson’s brutal execution by the hands of Aurangzeb, he could not cope with it and died a slow death due to heartache.

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Ashoka – Bindusar

King Bindusara was very fond of his son Ashoka; he knew the latter would become a very noble leader. But, due to customary rules of Kingdom, he knew that his first-born Sushim would be his successor. And, this was not taken too well by Ashoka, who knew all about the atrocities of his elder brother Sushim over the people of his kingdom.

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As Ashoka was fighting off Sushima to kill him and forcefully gain the throne of Magadh, Bindusara knew Sushim didn't stood a chance. Even before the news of Sushim and his brother's death could reach Bindusara, the latter died of heartache.